Club rugby booming tries Part Two

Above: Tana Umaga in a tangle against Northern United in 2007. He later scored a solo try in this match that paved the way for Petone's victory. 

As part of the build-up to the start of the 2017 Premier club rugby season, we’re recapping some of the memorable tries in Wellington Premier club rugby over the past 15 years or so.

There’s been approximately 10,000 tries scored in this period, so these are just the tip of the iceberg and ones that stuck out or we reported from our vantage point on halfway or through our camera lens. Part one below 2002-2004.

Swindale Shield Round 5 2005: Cory Jane for Upper Hutt (10) v Northern United (5)

This try itself – a quick tap and waltz over the line – was hardly spectacular, especially by Cory Jane’s standards, but the context of it was huge. Norths were the defending Swindale-Jubilee champions and both Norths and a resurgent Upper Hutt were unbeaten after the opening month of the season. Norths lead 5-3 late in the first half but Upper Hutt’s pack was starting to get on top of their opposites, scrum pressure by the front row of Justin Va’a, Tui Hunt and Joe Duffy giving them a decisive edge. Just before halftime the Norths forwards were penalised close to their line and Jane tapped and broke through to score to make it 10-5. The second half was a brutal affair but Upper Hutt held on. Upper Hutt went on to win their next five matches to claim the first round title with a round to spare, their first title win since 1990 and one they haven’t repeated since.

Swindale Shield Round 7 2005: Tristan Meo for the Wests Roosters (19) v Old Boys Uniersity (9)

The Wests Roosters went into this clash as one of the form teams, while Old Boys University were winless after six rounds. OBU started strongly at the Basin Reserve and took a deserved 6-0 lead after 20 minutes. But the Roosters kicked into life and took the game away from them with a burst of three tries, including two to wing Tristan Meo. The second of Meo’s tries was a contender for try of the season. First five-eighth Scott Leighton broke out from deep inside his own half. The ball was put through multiple hands to fullback Toby Robson who made 30 metres before feeding to a flying Meo and he dotted down in the corner.

Swindale Shield Round 11 2005: Etuale Togia for Tawa (35) v Northern United (22)

Tawa had to win this match at Porirua Park against second placed Norths to finish eighth and make the Jubilee Cup round. Tawa had been erratic and their record of three wins from 10 was poor given the talent at their disposal. However, they produced their most focused and controlled effort of the season to date here. Both sides scored four tries, but Norths could only manage one conversion. A highlight was undoubtedly Etuale ‘Junior’ Togia’s try just before halftime. The Norths forwards were in a familiar position, hammering away inside the opposition 22. Feeding the backs, they went wide but didn’t count on Togia’s intuition. With perfect timing he rushed up and intercepted a pass and sprinted 90 metres to score a hugely popular try. This gave Tawa the momentum to win a close second half, take the match and sneak into the championship round.

Jubilee Cup Round 8 (semi-final) 2005: Timanu Martin for Petone (19) v Poneke (17)

Petone's season was seemingly over with time almost up in this playoff against Poneke. But their hooker Eugene Smith had other ideas when he won one of the all-time great tighthead scrum wins on the Petone Recreation Ground. Winning the srcum feed 40 metres out from Poneke's line, Petone wasted no time in moving the ball to former Hurricanes left wing Alex Telea who scorched down field and linked with centre Tumanu Martin who crossed in the corner. This made it 17-17 and first five-eighth Earl Va’a stepped up and slotted the sideline conversion. Poneke launched one final frantic attack and won a penalty. A deathly silence descended over the Petone Rec as Poneke fullback Brad Cooper lined up the shot to win the game for the red and blacks. But he pulled it across the front of the uprights and Petone celebrated. Petone went on beat Norths 21-20 the following week to win the final.

Swindale Shield Round 2 2006: Mike Pehi for Hutt Old Boys Marist (32) v Upper Hutt (29)

Left wing Mike Pehi scored four tries in this match – but he saved his best until last. Upper Hutt led this match 9-7 at halftime, but the fireworks started in the second spell. Upper Hutt extended their lead to 19-7 and it was at that point that the Eagles found another gear. Pehi was the star, scoring all his tries in a remarkable 20-minute period. Pehi’s tries and a fifth second half try to blindside flanker Polonga Pedro gave Upper Hutt a last-gasp victory. Pehi’s winner came after a missed HOBM penalty from almost in front. From the ensuing Upper Hutt 22m dropout the Eagles went wide to Pehi and the fast-finishing wing brushed aside the defence and sliced in to score in the corner.

Jubilee Cup Round 2 2006: Rob Aloe for Northern United (25) v Old Boys University (20)

Rob Aloe’s 70 metre intercept try was the defining play in Northern United’s tight win over Old Boys University. Seven points behind and down to 14 players with fullback Adam Beganovich in the sin-bin, Aloe pounced on a short pass from OBU and skirted away for a runaway try under the posts to make the score 20-20. Norths right wing Peato Lafaele added a late penalty for the win. OBU were unlucky not to escape with a draw after being on top at halftime, but Norths pressured them into mistakes and Aloe’s try created a shift in momentum and one that helped propel them all the way to their second Jubilee Cup title later that season.

Swindale Shield Round 11 2007: Fa’avae Tuma’ai for Oriental-Rongotai (28) v Tawa (24)

Tawa led 24-0 at halftime, but home side Ories came storming back at the Polo Ground to win 28-24. Hardham Cup-bound Ories saved their best until the last 40 minutes of the first round in scoring four converted tries. Fullback Fa’avae Tuma’ai scored two of these tries including the match-winner, running off the shoulder of centre Paulo Aukuso and linking well with second five-eighth Samson Nonu. Trailing by three points but with their tails up in the Miramar sunshine, Ories moved into an attacking position near centre field and fed Tuma’ai who sped clear to score.

Jubilee Cup Round 3 2007: Tana Umaga for Petone (19) v Northern United (13)

Modern club rugby is always enhanced when All Blacks are involved. On a cold winter’s day at the Petone Recreation Ground, the grandmaster of backlines, Tana Umaga, was the star attraction and he didn’t disappoint. Umaga added inspiration in a tight game and scored what proved to be the match-clinching try midway through the second half to extend Petone’s then lead to 16-7 – a 30 metre dash to the line after regathering a chip and chase put through by first five-eighth Dan Kirkpatrick. Umaga was then heavily involved in a big defensive effort over the final 20 minutes, helping keep Norths out. Both sides went on to make the 2007 semi-finals but neither made the final.